Citation: Order of the Chocolate Donut

HEADQUARTERS CIR WRITING CORPS

CIRWCPO 23
27 Dec 2010

General Order Number 12

ORDER OF THE CHOCOLATE DONUT. Under the provisions of Section 19, Circular Number 333, CIR Writing Corps, 01 Dec 1999 and Circular Number 4, HQ, CIR Writing Corps, 26 Dec 1980, as amended,

YOU (WRITER) are hereby cited for outstanding performance of duty in action, in the immediate vicinity of desk, worktable, kitchen, recliner, bed, floor, book store, and/or preferred coffee shop, as pertains to Completion of Writing Mission (Mission), said Mission defined as writing any of the following: novel, novelette, short story, non-fiction book, article, cookbook, reference guide, poem, screenplay, memoir, how-to guide, essay, stage play, or equivalents, and/or completion of associated relevant tasks such as: query letters, résumé, outline, short synopsis, long synopsis, web site, blogs, critique meetings, captions, writers conferences, continuing education, outlines, research, and revisions/edits necessary to fully complete the assault phase of this important Mission.

MISSION SUMMARY: Unpredictable problems exemplified by receipt of opinionated critique, rejection letters, and/or fear of completion of Mission did not ultimately impede the progress of Writer. This aggressive action enabled Writer to complete the Mission.

Fanatic resistance at home and/or during Writer’s day-job did not fail to dim the fighting spirit of the Writer, nor did additional difficulties created by the blue screen of death.

Subject to incessant self-doubt, Writer continued on Mission despite unexpected plot reversals, which was accomplished smoothly only as a result of intensive commitment to chocolate donuts, or equivalent.

Outstanding examples of valor were numerous as Writer made advances in their extremely difficult Mission only after meeting and mastering several seemingly impossible backup problems with which they were confronted. This final accomplishment enabled Writer to drive forward and crush resistance.

The outstanding performance and inspired efforts of Writer, whether published or unpublished, exemplifies their deep devotion to duty and the highest traditions of the CIR Writing Corp.

BY COMMAND OF HQ
CIR WRITING CORP
AS RECORDED BY ADJUTANT, JANET FOGG
27 DEC 2010

A Bookworm's Lament

One of the worst moments of my life happened the day I realized I would never be able to read all the books in the world. Don't laugh. I was just a kid, and I was devastated.

I'm seriously addicted to the written word. I've always needed scores of unread books on hand, just in case. Even with hardcovers and paperbacks overflowing my bookcases and end tables, I buy more. And then I go to the library and feed my craving with selections I wouldn't or couldn't buy but can't resist borrowing, just in case.

When my new living room furniture arrived, I knew I had to clear out some of my bookish clutter. Three boxes went to the used book sale at the local writers’ studio. Even so, there are three full bookcases downstairs and another bookcase upstairs. Only 10% of those books are keepers. And I have placed a hold on six books at the library (mainly because my husband will kill me if I start bringing books home again before I’ve cleared more bookshelf space).

Did I forget to mention I’m getting a Kindle for Christmas?

What do I read? Everything. Fiction and non-fiction. All genres. Traditionally published and self-published. Hardcovers, paperback, e-reader. My idea of Heaven is a big library with stacks that go on forever.

I recently finished State of Fear by Michael Crichton, an interesting piece of fiction with tons of footnotes and less-than-excellent dialogue. This novel is an opinion piece and a huge information dump on the global warming and climate change discussion. Do I recommend it? Well, maybe, sort of. I did stick with it until the end to see how it turned out. But it’s not my favorite Crichton novel.

Sunday I closed the cover on The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes. It will become part of my permanent library. Keyes compares “page fright” to “stage fright” and exposes the truth behind procrastination and what some call writer’s block. I'm guilty of serious procrastination, so Keyes' words hit close to home. There’s a lot to think about in this little book. I highly recommend it.

What’s next on my shelf? I'm going to read Flesh and Spirit by RMFW member and fantasy author Carol Berg. I’ve been collecting Carol’s books for a while now, so I have a little catching up to do. Her newest novel, The Soul Mirror, is scheduled for release on January 4, 2011.

So many books, so little time.

Pat